The sessions are yearly, beginning on the first Monday in December, and last until March 4th; this is known as the short session. The long session occurs in odd numbered years and continues until it is adjourned. The President has the power to call special sessions of Congress.
Judicial Department.
The Federal courts derive their powers and jurisdiction from the Constitution and laws of the United States.
"The judicial powers of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time establish."
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest and most powerful judicial body in the world.
It holds its regular sessions at Washington, sitting from October to July.
The chief justice and eight associate justices constitute the Supreme Court of the United States, and are appointed for life by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate.
The salary of the chief justice is $15,000.00 per year, and of the associate justices $14,000.00 per year.
Six judges must be present in the trial of a case and a majority is necessary in rendering a decision.
The district judges receive a salary of $6,000.00 annually and the judges of the appeals court $7,000.00 annually.